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Chapter Twenty-Four
Sophie
The plane landed, and I was happy to get off the flight back home. My email, text, and voicemail went off for an entire two hours when I got a signal. I spent most of the flight looking over corporate data and reviewing the several business offers pending my approval. Jessica was turning out to be a decent assistant, but I missed Drake. Miles knew that something was up and kept the conversation limited. He talked about his proven success with a magazine editor and being titled the Fittest CEO, which I held for three years. Looking over Forever Fitness books, I saw that he increased profits rapidly, and women’s fitness contracts increased by over 3%. He was hitting everything concerning my goals. He was trending ahead of all the CEOs in the year of growth.
My phone rang as we walked down the terminal, and I was pleased to see Tibby with a smile on her face. I answered the phone. “Alex, how are you?”
Climbing inside the car, I saw Tibby’s face drop, and she could tell something was off. I continued on the line, “Listen, if you feel you need to open the lab in Alaska, I’ll have Chris send over some listings so we can put in some offers. What’s your plan to recruit professionals in that location?”
Alex was my only female CEO. She was always the most intelligent woman in the room, With a Ph.D., she knew nothing less than success and had a deep love for finding cures and pushing the limits with insurance companies. She made sharks in the board room look like clownfish. Hanging up the call, Tibby opened her mouth to speak, but I already had Chris on the phone. “Chris, work with Alex to find a bio lab in the location of her choice. Also, put my lake house as a short-term rental starting next Monday.”
Again, Tibby’s face dropped, but I didn’t pay attention. Jessica was beeping in, and I switched over. “Jessica, move my stuff to the New York flat and clear out my office. My last day here will be Sunday.” The phone was silent, and I hung up the phone. Tibby pulled up to the house, and I didn’t address her. I just lurched into my house and shut the door. Removing my favorite heels, I sank to the floor and started to cry. How did I let this happen? My heart fell for someone who was the biggest threat. He made it so believable, and just two days ago, I was wiping his tears over the death of his family. Was that all fake to have me share more information with him? Pain crept into my chest, and I never wanted to run away more before in my life than now.
A soft knock hit the door, and I collected myself before opening it. Miles looked me up and down with admiration in his eyes. He stepped in and grabbed me before placing a hard kiss on my lips. Not being able to feel anything, I pushed back. “Miles, I’m your boss, and this is no longer going to work.”
He smiled, not taking me seriously, and picked me up, moving me to the wall. He kissed me hard again and rolled down my neck.
“Miles,” I breathed out, reacting to his touch.
“I need to show you what you have been missing.” I pressed my lips together, and he started to feel my regret. He moved away and took a few steps back. “Did you fuck him?” he guessed it right, not facing me this time.
Falling silent to the question, he knew the answer. He barked, “You know I never thought I would get cheated on by a woman who ran to a janitor that makes $15 an hour… part-time.”
My face fell, and I was more pissed off that he degraded him. “Miles, I need to take this time to focus on myself…” Before I could finish the sentence, he walked out the door.
Staying in bed, I looked at Cole’s contact on my phone. Tears kept falling as everything engulfed me. After a few minutes, I clicked on it and hit the block button. I was done, and Miles was now just one of my several CEOs. The following day, I woke up and did my usual routine before Miles or Cole happened. I felt horrible and empty but I focused on my business. I looked in the mirror, mad at myself for being used and played. I needed to ensure this never happened to me again. Texting Jessica, I asked her to get in touch with Seth. She didn’t respond, so I sent the same message again, and she texted back.
Jessica: He will meet you Monday at 6 p.m.
Seth was the best therapist around, and I needed him now but knew he was hard to land within a week. Stepping out of the front door, my car and Tibby were nowhere to be found. Picking up the phone, I called her but was sent straight to voicemail.
Repeating it three more times with the same result, I dialed Drake. As soon as I heard his faint ‘hello’ I jumped in, “Drake, is Tibby okay?”
He stayed silent before exhaling, “Miles terminated her yesterday for breaking confidentiality.”
My heart sank. I felt awful for acting out towards her, but I knew she wanted to talk about Cole, and I wasn’t ready.
“Can you come to pick me up?” I asked softly.
“Miles stated that I was only his assistant, so I can’t do that.”
My face squinted with anger and, I intentionally dropped my tone, “Drake, I am now speaking as the boss of your boss, and I order you to get your ass over here now.”
Slamming the phone in my bag, I paced back inside. Who did Miles think he was? He knew never to mix pleasure with business. Fixing that statement in my head, I learned never to mix pleasure with business. After a few moments, I watched the familiar Tesla pull into my driveway. Drake came over and embraced me. We walked inside the house, and he moved to make me my favorite morning shake.
“What happened in Australia?” Drake turned to me, and my heart ached in pain.
Tears welled in my eyes. “I was a pawn in his large game of chess.” Tears rolled down my cheeks as I couldn’t make out the words. I felt a lump form in my throat again.
He nodded and then repeated, “you never answered my question. What happened in Australia?”
Swallowing deep, I took a drink. “He turned into the man of my dreams. Perfect in every way, and I fell in love with him harder than anyone. He made me feel normal, human, and most of all crazy.”
Drake moved to the liquor cabinet and removed his jacket. “So how come he’s not here?”
My face went blank for a second. “He lied about it all. Nothing was real. He was only after my company.”
Drake poured us a drink, and I took it like it wasn’t 9 a.m. “Sophie, I love you. You’ve always been my sister and I understand what you went through, but I think you should listen to his side of the story.”
